Pistons/Magic 2nd round game 1, May 3 7:30PM

Lee...your 1st half rotations have Amir playing 14 straight minutes...not likely. But I agree he should get minutes, especially when Dwight is on the floor and Lewis isn't. Howard is a turnover machine...4th in the league this season, averaging 3.2/game. AJ is quick enough to provide some help D and force some turns. The Pistons D should be able to make DHO cough up the ball 4-6 times a game.

Between forcing turns and putting Howard on the line, the Pistons can neutralize his scoring threat. But it will take a concerted effort and energy to minimize his boards...AJ & Max can be factors.

Didn't expect the game to be that slow, especially on Orlando's side. Pistons played great in the 2nd half. And whoever in the chat said that it was going decided in the 3rd quarter - great call. Pistons got huge lift from Maxiell. Stuckey needs to be more aggressive, he seems to be settling for long jump shots and that's not his game, at least at this stage. Just noticed, Maxiell matched Howard's numbers. I like Pistons chances if this happens.

After getting used to Philly's pressure, this game seemed really dull in the first half. It was easy for us to avoid turnovers and thereby avoid giving up fast breaks.

We just happen to match up really well against Orlando because of Sheed/ Dyess and CB/ Rip. Not many teams can keep Howard away from the hoop on both ends of the floor. Let's hope that we can keep it up.

Maxiell was clearly the stud. Plus 31 in only 24 minutes.

Dyess was great off the bench though. 5-9 with a bunch of rebounds and good defense. This is such a better combination with our energy player in with the veteran starting 4 and a hard playing veteran anchoring our bench. Glad we thought of it!

Also, how about that job by Ratliff? He was getting boards, neutralizing Howard and affection their shots in the paint. This is exactly why we got him.

Herrmann dressed and inserted in a playoff game before it was decided... and before Hayes??? Afflalo in the first half??? The Pistons hanging their hat on their defense first and playing with serious discipline and focus in the first game of a series???

Wow, only 30 second half points for Orlando? That must have been some impressive D. And cutting the abnormally high turnover numbers against Philly all the way down to a miniscule 6 is certainly encouraging as well.

Pistons played great in the 2nd half. And whoever in the chat said that it was going decided in the 3rd quarter - great call.

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It was me! It was me! (Y).

I really liked this game. Specially because we just made 6 turnovers, which leads me to think that this is the kind of opponents that fit us the most. Loved Maxiell attitude for answering Howard's power with strength and will. Really good game by Billups, although his strategy its becoming more and more obvious: "Lets drive and make some fts", which is good and I have no personal complains about it :p.

I dont like Rasheed's situation. I think 2 more technicals and he is out for a game. I fear this is gonna happen against the Celtics.

Aaand Herrmann played, so its all sweet for the Motown. Make it sweeter with Howard injuried and we die of diabetes.